Google Syncs Mobile and Desktop Searches

Google has enabled new sync features between desktop computers and mobile devices, specifically for local search and query suggestions. You need to be signed in, of course, to makes use of the sync. Here’s what to expect if you do:

Local

If you’re searching on Google Maps, you can star various local businesses. Later, you can pull them up on your phone on Google.com under the Local section. Just look for “Starred Places.” Once you bring them up, you can access mobile optimized Place Pages, the new local content pages Google just released.

There’s also a new category browse feature if you’re looking for something to do, but you’re not quite sure what it is or where to go.

These features are available in the US and China.

Query Suggestions

Typing on a mobile phone is tedious, so to make querying Google a little easier on your mobile device, Google is syncing queries. If you’ve searched something on your desktop, it will now show up as a query suggestion in your mobile search. You have to sign in on your mobile search with the same account that you use on your desktop. Web history also needs to be enabled to use the query suggestion sync.

This week, both LinkedIn and Facebook are beefing up their paid social offerings in different ways, while Google seeks to cut off Adwords revenues for fake news sites. And might Google be favouring desktop over its own AMP in its upcoming mobile-first index?

Here we’ll take a look at the basic things you need to know in regards to search engine optimisation, a discipline that everyone in your organisation should at least be aware of, if not have a decent technical understanding.